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INEC dismisses reports that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is preparing to resign, describing the claims as false, fabricated and misleading.
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The denial comes amid controversy over the removal of 1,608,660 invalid registrations from the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Amupitan was confronted by protesters outside Chatham House in London, who demanded his resignation over alleged irregularities in the voters’ register.
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INEC announces a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise for November 28 to test upgraded BVAS and electronic transmission systems ahead of the 2027 polls.
November 14, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports that its Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, is preparing to resign, assuring Nigerians that the claims circulating on social media are false and fabricated.
The commission issued the clarification on Saturday amid growing controversy surrounding the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections and calls by some Nigerians for Amupitan to step down over alleged irregularities in the registration process.
In a statement published on its official X account, INEC described the report, which was circulated alongside an image on social media, as false, fabricated and misleading.
“The claim is FALSE, FABRICATED AND MISLEADING,” the commission stated.
It urged Nigerians to disregard the report and refrain from circulating unverified information, advising the public to rely on its official communication channels for authentic information concerning the commission and its leadership.
The denial comes days after Amupitan faced protests in London over allegations relating to the voters’ register, further drawing attention to the challenges confronting the electoral body as it prepares for the next general elections.
INEC Removes 1.6 Million Invalid Registrations
On November 9, Amupitan disclosed that the commission had removed 1,608,660 invalid registrations from the preliminary voters’ register following a review of entries generated during the 2025 and 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercises.
He also revealed that 54 individuals across 10 states had been identified over alleged involvement in registration irregularities and could face disciplinary action, including prosecution.
The review followed complaints received by INEC over suspected multiple registrations, questionable photographs and other irregularities discovered in the preliminary register.
The commission said the exercise was part of efforts to sanitise the register and ensure its accuracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The disclosure, however, generated further concerns about the integrity of the registration process, particularly regarding how the invalid entries entered the system and the measures being adopted to prevent similar occurrences.
Protesters Demand Amupitan’s Resignation In London
The controversy followed Amupitan to the United Kingdom on Thursday, where protesters confronted his vehicle outside Chatham House in London, demanding his resignation over alleged problems with the voters’ register.
The protesters surrounded his vehicle as he departed an engagement on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with some demanding that he step out and address their concerns.
The demonstration came amid growing scrutiny of INEC’s handling of electoral preparations and concerns over the credibility of the forthcoming polls.
At the Chatham House engagement, Amupitan acknowledged that controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections had significantly damaged public confidence in the electoral commission.
He, however, urged Nigerians to trust his leadership, saying INEC had introduced measures to address previous shortcomings and improve the conduct of future elections.
The chairman’s remarks came as the commission continued to face demands for greater transparency and accountability in its management of the electoral process.
INEC Sets November 28 For Nationwide BVAS Test
As part of preparations for the 2027 elections, Amupitan announced plans for a nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise on November 28 to test upgrades to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results.
He said the commission had introduced technical safeguards to prevent inaccurate polling unit results and figures indicating over-voting from being uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal.
The mock exercise is expected to assess the performance of the upgraded technology and identify possible challenges before the general elections.
INEC’s preparations come against the background of controversies surrounding the 2023 elections, particularly concerns over result transmission, technological challenges and allegations of electoral irregularities.
The commission has maintained that improvements to its technology and electoral procedures are necessary to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the voting process.
The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.